The winter storms' impact on area trees

Wednesday

Jun 11, 2014 at 4:27 PM

Evergreens across the area, like the Douglas fir, are turning various shades of brown or yellow. Some are even dropping their needles. These are cases of tree injury brought about by the brutal winter with the ground frozen to depths not seen in years.

The winter storms have left a lasting impact on our area, especially when it comes to the conditions of the trees.

Evergreens across the area, like the Douglas fir, are turning various shades of brown or yellow. Some are even dropping their needles. These are cases of tree injury brought about by the brutal winter with the ground frozen to depths not seen in years. Water was unable to travel to the trees' root systems, either injuring the tree or killing it off entirely.

Greg Frank from Ted Collins Tree and Landscape hasn’t seen this kind of damage in a long time. Still, he says there are some things you can do to help your ailing tree, like scraping back the bark to see if there’s any green tissue left. It is a key first step in determining whether or not your tree can be saved.

Frank said, “By now, there's really nothing. We have a rule of thumb. By June 15 or so, if you don't really start to see something happening with your plants, then there is a good chance they are not going to recover."

Contacting a professional landscaper is the best way to go if you have any questions about tree damage. After identifying a tree that's been stressed or injured in the winter, it is important to make sure it’s not stressed during the growing season. One thing you can do is to make sure you don't over water your tree. If it hasn't rained, then only watering once every ten days should suffice.